Closing ‘like a death’

Final service held at St. Philip-by-the-Lake

Just 10 years ago, the Sunday School at St. Philip-by-the-Lake Anglican Church was brimming with children. Their voices could be heard through the floorboards of the Grimsby Beach church, which was built in 1952. But those voices have faded, membership has dwindled and the congregation made the tough decision to close the church.

“We looked at the history of the church, the changing history since the church was founded and looked at what the church meant to us,” said Rev. Sue Channen, noting the discussions began back in January and involved a core group of 20 parishioners. “The conclusion that came to each of us, was that with an aging population and dwindling numbers it was too much to run the organization.”

Too much of the congregation’s energy, said Channen, was spent just keeping the building open.

“We looked at all of our options ... and the best option, for us as individuals, was to find other congregations that we could join in.” To read more, click here.